Alexander Deriev is the editor and publisher of the online and in-print journal of poetry, translation and art Ars Interpres, originating in Stockholm, music producer, and a renowned icon painter. The icons painted by him can be found in many churches in the Holy Land, USA and Europe, as well as in private collections. A new book of John Kinsella's poems entitled Icononotes (accompanied by Alexander Deriev’s icons) will be released later this year both in English and Swedish.

Alexander Deriev was born in Kazakhstan, the former USSR. Influenced by Pavel Zaltsman, then the only remaining living follower of Pavel Filonov, he began to study painting in 1980. After studying the art of icon painting (or icon writing as the correct term is) with some influential icon masters in Russia, Alexander Deriev began painting icons in the mid-1980s.

In the 1990s, Alexander Deriev published several books including Who Is Who in the Churches of Jerusalem and How to Write Icons. In 1994, he also co-edited an English-Russian newsletter Joy of Resurrection (1994). That same year Alexander Deriev recorded his first CD entitled Russian Sacred Masterpieces, which features music performed by the Choir of St. Thaddeus. So far, Alexander Deriev has compiled and produced over 50 CDs for both several Israeli companies and The Divine Art Record Company in Great Britain. All these CDs emphasize rich musical traditions of various Christian denominations.

Since 1999, Alexander Deriev lives in Sweden, where he teaches icon painting classes in different institutions across Scandinavia, produces recordings of liturgical music, and publishes Ars Interpres – a literary journal founded in 2003. In addition to being the founding editor of Ars Interpres, Alexander Deriev is also a member of the editorial advisory board of the international literary review Interpoezia. In 2006, an interview with Alexander Deriev by Marcus Grodi was featured on The Journey Home EWTN TV show.

(click for Alexander Deriev's icons)

See also the series of sketches for the ICONONOTES book
 

Over the past few years, thousands of people from a wide variety of spiritual traditions have found themselves drawn to the mysterious and prayerful images found in the icons of Eastern Christianity. 

Until recently, few icon painters were accessible. Even fewer were willing to teach others this ancient art. But now your diocese, parish, retreat house or other organization can sponsor a retreat or workshop conducted by renowned Russian icon artist and teacher, Alexander Deriev, at your own facilities.

If you are a group of 15 - 18 people, Alexander and his staff are prepared to come from Stockholm, Sweden, to your own hometown parish. Just send an e-mail with preferred dates and location and we will work out a plan together.